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Settling in: Trout getting back to former self

4/14/13: Mike Trout drills a solo home run to deep right-center field, his first long ball of the 2013 campaign, putting the Angels ahead

By Alden Gonzalez
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MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- One of the things that made Mike Trout such an impressive hitter last year -- aside from the gaudy numbers, of course -- was his ability to keep his swing short, let the ball travel deep in the strike zone and show power the other way.

After some struggles early in the season, the Angels' dynamic outfielder is finally getting back to that.

Trout was 10-for-44 with 12 strikeouts through his first 10 games. But he went into Tuesday's contest against the Twins coming off three straight multi-hit games, putting him at a .286/.333/.464 slash line for the season.

The 21-year-old said the improvements have nothing to do with being moved from the leadoff to No. 2 spot, and more to do with "just being more relaxed and not trying to do too much."

"First couple games," Trout added, "I've just been anxious to get out there."

Lately, he's been getting back to what works -- staying back, letting the ball travel and not lunging out in front.

"I was jumping a little bit at the ball, just anxious," Trout said. "Now it's just back to myself, being myself."